SANTA has been getting a secret helping hand, all thanks to a widower looking to spread some Christmas cheer.
Brian Pettifer, who lives in Woodhurst Park in neighbouring Warfield, is planning to hand-deliver some special gifts to nearly 50 children.
He is to team up with an elf, a reindeer and a snowman on Christmas Day, taking his sleigh for a ride around the Berkeley Homes’ development. Parents can donate presents to Santa who will hand-deliver the special gifts to children on the day.
Brian, a granddad of three, says that since losing his wife to cancer, the festive period has never been the same, so he’s decided to make others smile.
He is a member of the development’s residents’ association and is counting down the days to December 25 like, well, an excited child.
“When you lose a loved one, the heart of Christmas Day disappears,” he says.
“Christmas had to change for me and this is my way of keeping the community spirit alive.
“Life has been hard for everyone this year so it’s even more important to keep morale up.”
And the scheme looks like it will be a hit: “To date we have 49 children from 34 families signed up to take part this year,” he says.
“It makes my morning to see smiling faces and family enjoyment. One neighbour says if we have any more sign-ups we might have to start after midnight mass.”
And with so many children to visit, he’ll have to watch his sherry and mince pie intake, lest he has a visit from ‘elf and safety.
